Up to 80 Hong Kong-linked ships stuck around Strait of Hormuz, trade group says

A Hong Kong shipping industry body is estimating that up to 80 vessels linked to its members and around 1,600 seafarers are currently stranded in or near the Strait of Hormuz. Richard Hext, chairman of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association, disclosed the details to a press conference, alongside recommendations for the city's first five-year plan and Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu's upcoming policy address.

Hext emphasized the urgency of protecting seafarers' safety, stating that ships would only sail through the strait when conditions are deemed secure. Despite brief ceasefires in June, allowing 20 to 30 associated vessels to depart safely, numerous ships carrying over 1,000 seafarers remain trapped in the conflict zone. The ongoing war between the US and Iran has severely disrupted global shipping and supply chains, as passage through the strait remains largely obstructed.